HISTORIC ALBANY FOUNDATION INC

Organizes public events such as the annual Matthew Bender IV Lecture with member receptions, panel discussions on regional history (e.g., the Erie Canal’s 200th anniversary), and art exhibits with silent auctions that highlight the built environment of the Capital Region.

Hosts guided walking tours including the Walkabout Wednesday series (May–September), Throwback Thursday tours (July–August), and specialized tours of the Pastures Historic District and other neighborhoods, along with public lectures on local history and preservation at historic sites across Albany.

Provides guided and self-guided tours of the Van Ostrande-Radliff House at 48 Hudson Avenue, including monthly First Fridays @ 48 Hudson events from March to October, to educate the public about the building’s historical and architectural significance during its restoration.

Engages in long-term advocacy to protect Albany’s architectural heritage, including efforts to preserve the Center Square and Hudson Park neighborhoods after large-scale demolitions, and promotes awareness of the region’s built environment through public campaigns and education over the past 50 years.

Issues an Endangered Historic Resources list every five years and maintains a “Dirty Dozen” list to guide preservation advocacy, while creating new National Register-listed historic districts to support rehabilitation and expand eligibility for state and federal tax credits.

Engages in the preservation and restoration of historic buildings and structures in Albany, including ongoing restoration of the Van Ostrande-Radliff House at 48 Hudson Avenue, the oldest building in Albany, which is being converted into the organization’s future headquarters.

Offers on-site technical assessments and preservation advice for historic properties through scheduled home visits and expert consultations on maintenance, restoration, and financing options.

Offers monthly Tool Library Workshops and other educational events to teach practical DIY and preservation skills such as window repair, painting, and lamp rewiring, along with expert consultation events for homeowners on historic home maintenance, restoration, and financing.

Organizes the annual Restoration Faire in May featuring exhibitors, hands-on demonstrations, and panel discussions on historic home ownership, and hosts Repair Cafes where the public can bring broken household items for repair assistance from skilled volunteers.

Runs the Capital District's only not-for-profit architectural salvage warehouse, recognized as the oldest continuously operating nonprofit of its kind in the U.S., which receives weekly donations of salvaged materials and sells reusable historic components to the public, contractors, and preservation advocates to prevent landfill disposal.

Conducts historical research using tax records, deeds, and historic maps to create custom 7x10 inch oval plaques that display construction dates, first owners, and builders when available; plaques are distributed to recipients who must pick them up in person at the organization’s office.

Operates a tool lending library with over 500 tools available for borrowing, allowing members to borrow up to four tools at a time for two weeks to support preservation and home maintenance projects.

Hosts the annual Preservation Merit Awards program, ongoing since 1976, to recognize outstanding preservation projects and individuals in the community, including stewardship of historic structures like the Love Albany Center at 8 Kate Street.